Growing Pumpkins: Your Guide to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Pumpkins

By Jennifer Poindexter

Do you spend a fortune on purchasing pumpkins to decorate your home around the fall? Do you love pumpkin recipes but spend a great deal of money on the ingredients when buying the pumpkin from the store?

Well, you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to share with you how to grow pumpkins. You can grow large or small pumpkins.

This way you’ll have the larger pumpkins to decorate with, and the smaller pumpkins to cook with. There are multiple ways to grow pumpkins, and I’m going to walk you through each method, let you know how to care for pumpkins, how to harvest the pumpkins, and how to store them too.

Harvest: When the fruit color changes uniformly and the rind becomes hard, typically 75 to 120 days after seed starting depending on the variety

Pumpkin Varieties to Plant

Pumpkins come in different sizes and have different varieties of each size. The larger the pumpkin, the more days it takes for it to reach full growth.

Also, the larger the pumpkins the larger the vines. Below, I’ll share the size of pumpkins, the most common uses, and some popular varieties for each size:

1. Small Pumpkins

Small pumpkins range anywhere from two to five pounds. They’re often used for baking. Some of the most popular varieties of this size are:

Baby Bear: 105 days to maturity

Small Sugar: 100 days to maturity

Baby Pam: 100 days to maturity

2. Medium Pumpkins

The medium sized pumpkins weigh anywhere from eight to fifteen pounds. They can be used for baking, decorating, or making jack o’lanterns. The most popular varieties of this size are:

Autumn Gold: 100 days to maturity

Jack O’Lantern: 75-115 days to maturity

3. Large Pumpkins

Large pumpkins range from 15-20 pounds. They’re known for their large vines and are great for use around Halloween. The most popular varieties of this size are:

Big Tom: 120 days to maturity

Cinderella: 84-100 days to maturity

Jumpin’ Jack: 110-120 days to maturity

Happy Jack: 105-110 days to maturity

4. Jumbo Pumpkins

Jumbo sized pumpkins are known to reach anywhere from 50-100 pounds. These varieties, if cared for properly, could reach even greater sizes and are great for competing, decorations, and could still be used to cook with as they’re known for maintaining good flavor as well.

However, the larger the pumpkin, the larger and more invasive the vines can be. Keep this in mind, when growing these larger varieties:

Mammoth Gold: 105-120 days to maturity

Prize Winner: 120 days to maturity

How to Plant Pumpkins

There are a few basics you should know about pumpkins. They apply regardless of the method used to grow your pumpkins.

First, pumpkins require anywhere from 75-100 days or more to grow. As mentioned above, larger varieties take longer to produce.

They don’t like cold, which makes it vital you wait until all danger of frost has passed before trying to plant them. Ideal soil temperatures for pumpkins is 70-95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Second, pumpkins need full sun and plenty of room to spread out when growing. Their vines can reach anywhere from 50-100 feet per plant.

Finally, be sure to plant pumpkins in nutrient-rich soil because they’re heavy feeders. The soil should also be well-drained. If they can’t get what they need from the soil, you shouldn’t expect a big harvest.

Here are the three different methods of growing pumpkins:

1. In a Row

If you have a large garden plot you’d like to fill up, pumpkins are a great option. When planting pumpkins, it’s best to grow them from seed.

However, if you live in a cooler climate, you may not have as large of a grow window. If this is the case for you, start the pumpkin seeds indoors a month before the last spring frost.

Be sure to harden the transplants off before planting.

When you plant the pumpkin transplants, place them in a row which has been prepped. As mentioned above, the soil should be nutrient-rich and well-drained.

Whether you’re starting from seeds or planting transplants, each plant should be a foot apart. When the plants have reached three inches, you’ll begin to thin them out.

You should have one plant every three feet in a row. Be sure to use scissors to cut out the other plants to ensure you don’t damage any of the plants’ roots you want to keep in the row.

2. In a Hill

One of my favorite ways to grow pumpkins is in hills. When planting pumpkin seeds in hills, it encourages quicker germination because the soil heats up faster.

This method also makes it easier for the soil to drain too.

You’ll begin the process by prepping the hills for planting. Be sure to dig down a foot into the ground to work aged manure or compost into the soil. You’ll mound the dirt up for planting.

When finished, you want an area which is the size of a substantial upside-down mixing bowl. It’s essential to incorporate all of the manure and compost for the proper nutrients.

After the mound is complete, you plant the seeds in the hill. You want four seeds per hill and plant each seed one inch deep into the hill.

Make sure your hills are around 10 feet apart. If you’re planning on growing larger pumpkins (such as 300-pound pumpkins), put 20 feet between hills. This would apply to those who grow giant pumpkins to compete in county and state fairs.

The pumpkin seeds should germinate and be above ground in two weeks or less. When the plants have reached three inches in height, it’s time to thin the hill out.

You want three plants per hill. Be sure to use scissors to cut out the plants you don’t want. This should deter any damage to the remaining plants’ roots.

Keep in mind, when growing pumpkins in hills, you can place them around the perimeter of your garden if you’re short on space.

This will allow the vines to run over your lawn instead of through your garden. It could also help cut down on the amount of mowing you’ll have to do for a few weeks.

3. In a Bucket

This method is excellent for people who are short on gardening space but would love to grow pumpkins. It’s easy too.

You begin with a 10-gallon bucket. Turn the bucket over and drill holes in the bottom of it. This is to allow any water to drain through the bucket to keep the soil from becoming too soggy.

Again, you want nutritious soil which is also well-drained. When the holes have been made, place four or more rocks in the bucket which are the size of your fist. This helps the soil to drain better as well.

From here, add rich soil to the bucket filling it to the top. When the soil is in place, you can transplant your pumpkin plants or sow seeds in the dirt.

One 10-gallon bucket should hold two pumpkin transplants. If sowing seeds in the bucket, plant 4 one inch deep in the soil.

When the plants reach three inches tall, you’ll cut two of the plants out with scissors. The vines will run over the bucket and sprawl.

This method is good if you have poor soil conditions, and it also works if you’re new to gardening. You can see how the vines sprawl, and if you need to move the plant to a new place when the vines take off, you can.

How to Care for Pumpkins

Pumpkins need some basic care for a successful harvest. Here is what you’ll need to give your pumpkins for a bountiful harvest:

1. Water

Pumpkin needs a ton of water. If you’re growing typical pumpkin varieties, be sure to water them only a couple of times per week.

This ensures the plants are getting deep watering sessions instead of various shallow watering sessions. The goal is to give the pumpkins one inch of water per week in a way the roots will be thoroughly watered.

However, be sure to water on sunny days or to use soaker hoses when watering. You want to avoid the foliage of the pumpkin plant or the pumpkins themselves being wet for long periods of time. This could cause your pumpkins to rot.

2. Mulch

Mulch is a crucial ingredient to growing successful pumpkins. By placing mulch around the base of the pumpkin plant, you not only keep weeds at bay, but you also make it easier for the plant to retain moisture.

This is a great help because as we’ve mentioned already, pumpkins are heavy feeders. They don’t prosper when they compete with weeds for food.

Also, pumpkins need lots of water. Anything which can help them retain these necessary elements is a benefit to you.

3. Fertilizer

Pumpkins feed heavily. Therefore, it’s essential to start the pumpkins with nutrients in the ground. Even when you do this, you’ll need to add more food for the pumpkins to feed on at important times.

When the plants have reached a foot, and before vine production, it’s vital to give pumpkins a boost of fertilizer which is high in nitrogen.

However, right before the pumpkins begin to blossom you should give them another boost of fertilizer which is high in phosphorous.

4. Train Them

If you don’t want your pumpkins growing everywhere, consider training them to run up a trellis. Smaller varieties are easier to train.

However, if you grow a larger variety and have a way to engineer holding up larger pumpkins, this could still be a viable option.

5. Prune

Don’t be afraid to prune your pumpkins. If the vines are growing everywhere, and you simply can’t stand it, prune them.

Be sure the vines you’re pruning already have pumpkins on them before pruning. When you prune the vines, you’re stopping energy from going into vine growth and channeling it towards the fruit of the vine.

This should produce larger, healthier pumpkins in the long run.

6. Cardboard

When pumpkins produce, they are grounded because of their weight. It’s a good idea to place a piece of cardboard under the pumpkin as it grows.

By doing this, you’re stopping moisture from coming in direct contact with the pumpkin from the ground. This should help deter rot.

7. Give Them a Twirl

Because pumpkins are a heavy fruit for the vine to carry, they’re forced to stay on the ground. This can cause your pumpkins to grow in a distorted form.

If this concerns you, give the pumpkins a twirl (without damaging the vine) to ensure the pumpkin can have a nice, round shape.

8. Tips for Competitive Pumpkins

If you’re growing pumpkins for a competition, there is a simple tip you can do to help them grow larger.

Snip any blooms forming on a weaker vine. You’ll see as your pumpkins develop some vines are larger, sturdier, and look healthier. These are the vines you want your pumpkins to grow from.

When you find the healthiest vines, pinch every bloom from your plant beside three. You will focus on three pumpkins per plant.

9. Invite Pollinators into Your Garden

Be sure to plant lots of plants and flowers bees love around your property. If you don’t have enough pollinators around your farm, consider pollinating your pumpkins by hand.

Pumpkin Problems

Pumpkins are sensitive plants. They need the right amount of sunlight, heat, nutrients, and care to produce quality pumpkins.

Even after the hard work, you still have pests and diseases to keep a watchful eye out for. Here are the concerns for pumpkins:

1. Squash Bugs

Squash bugs are garden pests which look like stink bugs. They can suck the juices from your plants while also giving plants a toxic substance.

This will cause the foliage of your plants to wilt and turn brown. You can beat these pests by using insecticides and hand picking them from your plants.

Keep a watchful eye on the undersides of the plant leaves because this is where squash bugs will lay their eggs. You can hand pick the eggs from your plants too.

2. Cucumber Beetles

These pests look like yellow ladybugs because of the spots on their backs. These pests chew on your plants, causing holes in the foliage and wilt to occur. The most significant threat with this pest is their capability of spreading harmful plant diseases in your garden.

Cucumber beetles are difficult to remove from your plants, even with the use of insecticides. They’re difficult to pick off by hand too. You can use a vacuum cleaner to suck them from your plants or knock them to the ground onto a piece of cardboard around the base of your plant.

From there, you pick up the cardboard and give the cucumber beetles a boot out of your garden.

3. Aphids

Aphids are small insects which find their way into gardens in most locations. When you see your plants are being feasted upon and changing colors or wilting because of the stress, you should check them over for this pest.

When you see these tiny insects, give them a strong, cold douse with the water hose. This should loosen them and knock them from your plant.

4. Powdery Mildew

This disease says it all in its name. Powdery mildew is mildew which looks like powder has been thrown all over your plant. You can prevent powdery mildew by keeping the foliage of your plants dry.

You should either water your pumpkins with soaker hoses or water early enough in the day so the foliage will have time to dry.

If you have powdery mildew on your pumpkins, spray them with a fungicide or rub the leaves together to knock it off. You can also remove any infected part from the plant as well.

5. Squash Vine Borer

This pest is a fat worm which bores its way through the vines of squash and pumpkin plants. The bug will begin as an egg, take worm format when it’s in the larvae stage, and eventually turn into a moth.

Squash vine borers feed on what is inside the vines of your pumpkins. You’ll begin to see holes in your vines, and the plants start to wilt when they’ve attacked your pumpkin plants.

Beating these pests is difficult. Some say to plant extra for these particular pests to feast on in hopes they’ll leave your crop alone.

However, you can try to use insecticides, but it’s difficult because the insects aren’t on the outside of your plant but the inside. You’d have to apply it at the exact time of hatching.

But you can also try to apply diatomaceous earth to the base of your plants and piling dirt around the bottom of the plant as well.

The diatomaceous earth will slice the larvae as they crawl over it, and the dirt will make it more difficult for them to get to the vines as well.

Best and Worst Companions for Pumpkins

Most plants have other plants they grow well when planted near them. These are called good companion plants. The best companion plants for pumpkins are:

Plants also have other plants they shouldn’t be planted near because they cause issues for one or both of the plants. These are known as bad companion plants. Pumpkins only have one plant they should avoid being planted near and this plant is potatoes.

How to Harvest and Store Pumpkins

Harvesting a pumpkin is one of the easiest parts of the growing process. Here is what you need to know to be able to collect and store your pumpkin harvest:

1. Look at the Color

You’ll have an idea when your pumpkins are finished growing because the stem will dry up and look dead. At the same time, the pumpkin should have a beautiful orange color to let you know it’s ripe.

When these two things begin to align, you can have confidence the pumpkin is ripe and ready for you to harvest it.

2. Check the Toughness

If you’re still in doubt about the ripeness of your pumpkin, you can feel it. When you knock on the rind of the pumpkin, it should sound hollow.

Also, you can put your fingernail on the skin of the pumpkin. If your nail doesn’t easily dent the pumpkin’s skin, you know the pumpkin is ripe as well.

Either way, be sure to harvest your pumpkins before the first frost of fall.

3. Cut from the Vine

When you feel confident your pumpkins are ripe, use a sharp knife to cut the pumpkin from the vine at the stem.

Leave 4-6 inches of the stem attached to the pumpkin. This helps deter diseases from forming within your pumpkin after harvest.

4. Let Them Dry

The next step in the process is the curing process. Brush any dirt from the pumpkin, but don’t use water. You don’t want to add anything to your pumpkin to encourage rot to take place.

From there, you’ll store your pumpkins in a sunny, warm, and dry location. We have a greenhouse which is an excellent location for curing pumpkins. You could also use a sunroom as well.

You’ll leave the pumpkins in this location, right-side up for two weeks. When the two weeks are complete, you’ll turn the pumpkins upside down, and leave them to finish curing for two more weeks.

5. Shine Them Up

After the pumpkins have cured in a warm, dry location for a month, it’s time to seal the moisture in the pumpkins before storage.

Use an old t-shirt or a soft cloth to apply oil to the skin of the pumpkin. By applying oil to the outside of the pumpkin, it helps seal the pumpkins for storage.

6. Store Properly

The final step in storing pumpkins is to place the pumpkins in a dark, dry, and cool location. Store pumpkins between 55 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the pumpkins on a shelf where airflow can still occur. You can use a wire shelf or durable ventilated plastic shelving for this purpose.

Be sure to add a cushion of straw, hay, or cardboard beneath the pumpkins to keep them from sitting directly on the shelf. This stops any damage to the outside of the pumpkin which could cause your pumpkins to rot.

Also, don’t place pumpkins in the same area where other fruit is stored. Fruits put off ethylene gas. This accelerates the lifespan of the pumpkins, meaning they won’t last as long.

Check your pumpkins regularly for signs of rot or mold. If these appear, be sure to discard the pumpkins to keep it from spreading to other pumpkins.

The pumpkins will last for different lengths of time depending upon the variety.